Type of Holiday: Religious (Christian)

Where Celebrated: Italy and by Christians, particularly sailors, around the world
Symbols and Customs: St. Elmo's Fire

ORIGINS

St. Elmo has been confused with St. Erasmus, an earlier patron saint of sailors. Erasmus
was a third-century Italian bishop who was martyred around 304 during the persecution
of Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian.

He was at the height of his popularity in the thirteenth century when Elmo, who had
spent much of his life working among the seafaring people of the Spanish coast, came
along.

Over the centuries, the two saints became identified with one another in the minds of
the sailors who asked for their protection, and eventually no distinction was made
between them.

Some scholars think that Elmo is merely a variation of the name Erasmus, and that the
two saints are actually the same person.

According to legend, Erasmus was martyred by being disemboweled, and for this reason
his name is often invoked by people who suffer from intestinal problems.

The basis of saint day remembrances-for St. Elmo as well as other saints-is found in
ancient Roman tradition.

On the anniversary of a death, families would share a ritual meal at the grave site of an
ancestor.

This practice was adopted by Christians who began observing a ritual meal on the death
anniversary of ancestors in the faith, especially martyrs.

As a result, most Christian saint days are associated with the death of the saint.

There are three important exceptions. John the Baptist, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus are
honored on their nativities (birthdays).
Many who suffered martyrdom are remembered on saint days in the calendars of several
Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant sects.

Full story:
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/St.+Elmo%27s+Day

Mike Dippel

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